Patent · US Expired

Methods and apparatus for conveying containers through an oven to produce heat-insulative foamed layers thereon

US6328557A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
5References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 15, 1999
Grant dateDec 11, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 15, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB31B2120/50
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Containers are conveyed through an oven on a conveyor to cause a foamable material on each container to foam and become a heat insulative layer. The containers are supported on respective holders of the conveyor, which prevent the containers from contacting one another. Preferably, the holders support the containers loosely, to enable the containers to wobble relative to the holders under the influence of oven air currents and conveyor vibration. The holders thus do not make contact with any given point on their respective containers for a time period that is sufficient to enable the holders to draw enough heat away from the container to adversely affect the foaming operation. The containers are conveyed in single file, along a serpentine path through the oven.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.